Resources
Redundancy to Reduce Rattle
By Whitney Claire Thomey Being faced with our own personal mortality or the inevitability of losing a valued team member can feel paralyzing. Although uncertainty often inspires worry, there is one ‘risk’ about which you can be absolutely certain; everyone leaves eventually. I remember the day my grandfather walked in and proudly announced that he … Continued
6 Risk Trends that Matter to Your Mission
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Yesterday I read with interest Kate Barr’s new blog post titled 8 Trends in the Nonprofit Sector. Kate is the President & CEO of Propel Nonprofits, an organization that supports nonprofits in Minnesota and adjacent states. Propel’s finance factsheets, worksheets and other resources are top notch, and I recommend them. Kate’s … Continued
Selfless Leadership: When to Leave Fingerprints
By Melanie Lockwood Herman If you’re a fan of crime dramas, you’re well aware that recovering fingerprints—the impressions left by the friction ridges (raised portion of the epidermis) of a human finger—is often an important part of a crime scene investigation. And when the identity associated with the fingerprints is revealed, it doesn’t always match … Continued
Employment Practices Risk Resources
Explore this RISK eNewsletter filled with tips and resources for managing employment practices risk. CEO and Staff Succession Planning Avoid transition trauma by reading our practical articles on succession planning: Avoid Transition Trauma with a CEO Succession Plan Staff Succession Planning Employment Policies, Safety, and Screening Read The Employment Issue of our newsletter, Risk Management … Continued
Succession Planning for [NOT] the CEO
By Erin Gloeckner CEO succession planning arises as a strategic risk and key concern of nonprofit boards in many NRMC-led Risk Assessments. If you’re looking for an article about CEO succession planning, this is not it. Instead, review our popular article, Avoid Transition Trauma with a Succession Plan. This article explores succession planning for nonprofit … Continued
Drinking from the Hose: Is Your Executive Onboarding Program Effective (and Sane)?
By Erin Gloeckner Transitioning into any new job is often compared to drinking from a fire hose. How quickly can you learn everything about your new role and organization? How long will it take for you to fit in and live out the culture, policies, and expectations of your new workplace? And how can you … Continued
Succession Planning: Managing the Risk of Executive Departures
Recent studies suggest that a significant percentage of senior nonprofit leaders will be retiring in the next five years. Yet most nonprofits do not have a succession plan ready to ensure a smooth transition when experienced leaders depart. And despite the fact that the lack of a succession plan keeps countless volunteer board leaders awake … Continued
Hello Goodbye: Succession Planning 101
Countless nonprofit board members and CEOs have faced this million-dollar question: “Do we need a succession plan?” which is often followed by confusion and another query: “Do we need a successor ready now?” Attend this webinar to learn the why, what, who, and how of succession planning. Reflect on why your board and/or CEO might be shy of initiating succession planning … Continued
HELP! I Need Somebody’s Risk Help
March 16, 2016 If you’ve ever heard the catchy Beatles tune, Help!, it might have caused you to reflect on times you’ve sought help in your personal or professional life. Here at the Center, we offer RISK HELP and risk management guidance to our valued Affiliate Members and consulting clients. In today’s RISK eNews, the … Continued
The Perfect Ride
By Melanie Lockwood Herman “Riding on a motorcycle can make you feel joyous, powerful, peaceful, frightened, vulnerable, and back out to happy again, perhaps in the same ten miles. It is life compressed, its own answer to the question “Why?” — Melissa Holbrook Pierson, The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles. On Sunday, September … Continued
Nothing to Fear but Fear
By Melanie Lockwood Herman In the Quaker village where I live, Halloween is more than an opportunity to see little ones in this year’s most popular costumes. A handful of villagers spend months planning elaborate displays that will delight or frighten the customary throngs of families foraging for treats. Homes and homeowners are decked out … Continued
Avoid Transition Trauma with a CEO Succession Plan
by Melanie Lockwood Herman and Erin Gloeckner CEO succession planning can be a touchy subject. Members of a nonprofit board may fear the risk of insulting a CEO by suggesting the topic as an agenda item. Some CEOs may feel disinclined to raise the subject because it could send mixed signals about their intent to … Continued